Finance
Atal Pension Yojana 2026 – Apply Online, Eligibility & Benefits
Guaranteed Pension₹1000–₹5000/monthUpdated 2026
📋 Overview
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed pension scheme aimed at workers in the unorganised sector such as daily wage workers, domestic helpers, street vendors and small farmers. Subscribers can choose a guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000 or ₹5,000 after reaching 60 years of age. The government previously co-contributed 50% of the subscription for the first five years for eligible subscribers who joined before a certain date. The pension is guaranteed for life.
✅ Key Benefits
- Guaranteed pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month after age 60
- In case of subscriber's death, spouse receives the same pension
- On death of both subscriber and spouse, nominee gets the full corpus
- Small monthly contribution starts as low as ₹42 per month
- Tax benefit under Section 80CCD(1B) up to ₹50,000
- Safe and government-backed investment
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👤 Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be an Indian citizen between 18 and 40 years of age. They must have an active bank account linked to Aadhaar. The applicant must not be an income taxpayer (as of revised 2022 rules, taxpayers are not eligible for new APY accounts). The applicant should not be a member of any statutory social security scheme like EPF or NPS. A bank account is mandatory for auto-debit of monthly contributions.
📄 Required Documents
- Aadhaar Card linked to bank account
- Bank account details (savings account)
- Mobile number registered with the bank
- Nominee details (name, date of birth, relationship)
🚀 How to Apply
- Visit your nearest bank branch or log in to your bank's net banking
- Look for 'Atal Pension Yojana' under social security or government schemes
- Fill in the APY registration form with personal details
- Choose your desired pension amount (₹1,000 to ₹5,000)
- Enter nominee details and link your Aadhaar
- Set up auto-debit from your bank account for monthly contributions
- You will receive a PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number) as confirmation
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum contribution for Atal Pension Yojana?
The minimum contribution starts at ₹42 per month for a ₹1,000 pension if you join at age 18. It increases with age and pension amount.
Q: Can I change my pension amount after enrolment?
Yes. You can change your pension slab once a year during the financial year (April to December).
Q: What happens if I exit APY before 60 years?
Voluntary exit before 60 is allowed but you will only get your contribution plus interest. Government's co-contribution is not refunded.
Q: Is Atal Pension Yojana safe?
Yes. APY is regulated by PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) and is fully backed by the Government of India.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This is not an official government website. We only provide informational content. For official information, visit india.gov.in or the respective ministry website.